Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How long is each session?click to open/close

A) The first office visit takes about an hour. Follow-up visits take about 45 minutes.

Q) How often do I have to come?click to open/close

A) If symptoms are acute, generally fewer office visits are required. More visits may be required for chronic symptoms.

Q) What is Oriental medicine?click to open/close

A) Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical tradition of over five thousand years. It includes acupuncture, herbal medicine and exercise.

These therapies work with the natural vital energies inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively by the one quarter of the world's population who reside in the Orient and is rapidly growing in popularity in the West. 

Q) How does it work?click to open/close

A) Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized the vital energy behind all life forms and life processes.

They called this energy Qi (pronounced "chee"). In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, the ancient physicians discovered a system of cyclic energy flowing through the human body along specific pathways. Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ.

Disease is believed to arise because of deficiency or imbalance of vital energy in the energetic pathways and their associated physiological systems. The pathways, or meridians, of energy communicate with the surface of the body at specific locations called acupuncture points. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.

Oriental medicine has also developed methods of determining the flow in the meridian system, using an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis. Findings from these modalities are combined with other signs and symptoms to create a composite diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.

Q) What can I expect if treated?click to open/close

A) Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and herbs; however, some conditions that have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Oriental medicine is also an educational process in which the patient becomes more aware of his or her own body, thus increasing its ability to maintain well-being.

Although there are techniques in Oriental medicine for healing most conditions, there are medical circumstances which can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend that you contact a physician. As is the case in China, acupuncture should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.

Q) Is acupuncture safe?click to open/close

A) In the hands of a licensed acupuncturist, your safety is assured. Sterilized, disposable needles are used.

Q) Is acupuncture painful?click to open/close

A) Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection, since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure. Acupuncture needles are firm, yet flexible, and about the diameter of a thick hair. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed with a minimum of discomfort. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during the treatments. In some cases, it is not necessary to use needles at all.

Q) What is cupping?click to open/close

A) Cupping is a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine. Bulb-shaped glass cups are placed on the skin with suction in order to influence the flow of energy and blood in the body.

Patients are usually lying down for a cupping treatment. The practitioner uses a small flame on a cotton ball to create a vacuum within the cup, which is placed on the patient's skin. The vacuum creates a strong suction. The practitioner may leave the cups in place or move them around depending on the condition being treated. Oil rubbed on the skin allows the cups to slide easily while maintaining suction. Several cups may be used to cover a larger area.

Cupping is a safe, painless and non-invasive therapy that can be used for problems with the internal organs, lung infections and colds, muscle and joint pain, spasms and more.

Q) What is NAET®?click to open/close

A) Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques, also known as NAET®, are a non-invasive, drug free, natural solution to eliminate allergies of all types and intensities using a blend of selective energy balancing, testing and treatment procedures from acupuncture/acupressure, allopathy, chiropractic, nutritional, and kinesiological disciplines of medicine. One allergen is treated at a time. If you are not severely immune deficient, you may need just one treatment to desensitize one allergen. A person with a mild to moderate amount of allergies may take about 15-20 office visits to desensitize 15-20 food and environmental allergens. Basic essential nutrients are treated during the first few visits. Chemicals, environmental allergens, vaccinations, immunizations, etc. are treated after completing about ten basic essential nutrients. NAET® can successfully eliminate adverse reactions to egg, milk, peanuts, penicillin, aspirin, mushrooms, shellfish, latex, grass, ragweed, flowers, perfume, animal dander, animal epithelial, make-up, chemicals, cigarette smoke, pathogens, heat, cold and other environmental agents. It may take several office visits to desensitize a severe allergen. NAET® was discovered by Dr. Devi S. Nambudripad in November of 1983.

Q) What are Chinese Herbs?click to open/close

A) Chinese herbs are a cornerstone of Chinese medicine and have been in use for over five thousand years. All ingredients come from natural sources such as plants and minerals, and side effects are minimal. 

Chinese herbs can strengthen the immune system, elliminate toxins, reduce stress and improve the circulation system, among other benefits. When combined with acupuncture, the effects of both are greatly enhanced.